Chapter 141: What a Huge Serpent

Blood Colored Poppy’s grave warning put everyone on alert. They readied their most potent techniques.

As they all understood the strength and style of this Herbal Hall core member, nobody dismissed his words.

“Don’t be scared. With my Taiyi Five Smoke Net, ordinary monsters can’t get through at all. There’s nothing to worry about,” declared Long-Legged Lady with complete confidence. With a flick, the multicolored smoky radiance around her shifted endlessly, becoming layered and gaining a spatial depth. She also elevated that ball of Pale Flame above her head, its dim ghostly light illuminating several zhang around her, causing the shadows to flicker and dance. She also drew out two flying swords.

With these two handmaiden short swords in her grasp, she slashed vertically and horizontally through the air, sword energy crisscrossing, preparing some kind of safeguard.

It was obvious she wasn’t taking things lightly. After all, previously she’d only used a single ball of Pale Flame against enemies. Her calm words contrasted with her thorough preparation.

For her first time wielding flying swords, Graceful Dream Butterfly manipulated them with an ethereal grace, like a solitary orchid in a remote valley, detached from the mundane world. It was starkly different from her usual straightforward and lively personality, lending her an unusual charm.

“Hey, not just you can use two flying swords. I can do it too!” Graceful Dream Butterfly suddenly turned her head, flashing Ye Rong a brilliant, toothy grin. A hint of playful pride laced her tone.

“Wow, Long-Legged Lady really has this side to her.”

Like the new moon glowing through clear mist, or blossoms covered in piled snow… her beauty was breathtaking.

This strong, heroic woman revealed a completely different facet of herself at this moment, leaving Ye Rong stunned for a long beat.

The hilts of Graceful Dream Butterfly’s two handmaiden short swords were connected to snow-white ribbons. These coiled around her wrists in loops and disappeared into her robe. If he guessed correctly, this was how she controlled two flying swords without having an obvious sword case.

“What’s all the fuss? We’re not even on the last floor yet!” Fang Geyin gripped his mother-son sword while casually taking out a thick, book-like magic treasure with his other hand, prepared but still offering his habitual retort.

East Sea God of Wealth made a dramatic show of it. Both hands plunged into his Universe Pouch, then swept outwards, scattering seventy-two heavy, glittering golden coins into the air. Each coin was palm-sized. They flew around him, forming a wall of coins that clinked and clattered with the sound of money striking money.

In contrast, Breeze Clear and Clouds Light appeared much more ordinary. He merely fully manifested the nine Azure Cloud banners behind him. A howling whirlwind sprung up around him, making it seem like he might be blown away any second.

The two brothers from Wutai, on the other hand, pulled out a pile of talismans. Methodically, they stuck one talisman after another onto themselves. Multi-colored lights flashed around them as they layered on who knew how many buffs.

These basic talismans could be exchanged for practically anywhere. Taking Qingcheng as an example: the Gale God Talisman, which increased speed, cost 50 Sect Contribution Points; the Great Strength God Talisman, which increased physical power, cost 20 points; the Green Wood God Talisman, which boosted Qi and Blood recovery, cost 30 points… with types easily numbering over a hundred, though the attribute boosts were often minor. Heterodox Schools like Wutai delved deeper into such talismans, boasting even more varieties and advanced research into them.

Ye Rong just couldn’t bear to part with the hard-earned Sect Contribution Points he’d risked his life for. He was saving them for something big.

Commanding his Flying Swords, Casting Snow and Black Phoenix, Ye Rong simultaneously checked the cool-down timers on his various spells. All were usable. His gaze lingered a moment longer on the Green Dragon Ornate Feather Robe he wore, deep in thought.

Seeing everyone was prepped, Blood Colored Poppy flicked a finger. His Starlight Flying Sword shot out, smashing hard into the giant glowing mirror.

The giant mirror, carved with scenes of thousands of sea monsters hunting savagely, didn’t even tremble under the blow, let alone crack. Yet, within it, the churning waves seemed stimulated, surging out wildly.

The stone chamber, easily over a thousand pings in size, was rapidly inundated by the torrent flooding from the mirror. Soon, water rose past waist level… and continued climbing relentlessly.

Watching this unfolding scene outside, Ye Rong and the others drew sharp intakes of breath. Just the entrance of this guardian boss was this awe-inspiring? Its power likely surpassed the green-faced, fanged demon earlier by an immeasurable degree.

Fortunately, the Taiyi Five Smoke Net proved its worth. Truly an omnidirectional defense treasure that mutated at will, it didn’t let a single drop seep through. Outside surged a deluge; inside remained utterly dry and comfortable.

Graceful Dream Butterfly pressed a delicate white finger onto the multicolored shimmer. Suddenly, the Taiyi Five Smoke Net seemed to lose its weight, floating up amidst the floodwaters.

This was a blessing. Otherwise, being submerged and forced to fight a water-based boss from the depths would have been a massive disadvantage.

After transforming the entire stone chamber into an underwater world, a hundred-zhang tidal wave exploded with a boom! A serpent over a hundred zhang in length burst forth! Black scaled body, white belly, with a pair of lantern-like, chilling green pupils that fixed directly upon the Taiyi Five Smoke Net.

“Blackwater Xuanshe?! That’s a Blackwater Xuanshe!”

At Breeze Clear and Clouds Light’s shocked cry, Ye Rong looked over. The great snake was, fortunately, still within his observation range.

Heishui Xuanshe: Elite Tier, Level 60 Monster.

The Shanhaijing, Great Wilderness Volumes: South records: South of the Blackwater River, there is the Xuanshe (Dark Serpent) that feasts on dust. There exists Mount Wu. To its west lies a Yellow Bird. The Divine Elixir, Eight Halls. The Yellow Bird on Mount Wu oversees this Xuanshe.

Such a famous, clearly pedigreed monster indeed differed. The grandeur of its entrance surpassed anything Ye Rong had witnessed before; it had immediately transformed the stone chamber into its dominant territory.

Simply coiling its tail, the serpent sent countless towering waves crashing towards the Taiyi Five Smoke Net in a mad, howling tumult, turning the world upside down.

“No good!”

For the first time, Long-Legged Lady’s expression shifted, revealing a flicker of alarm. She retracted her two handmaiden swords and instantly pressed both hands onto the Taiyi Five Smoke Net. She poured her True Qi into the net without any reserve, like opening floodgates, desperately striving to stabilize the multicolored radiance.

Since entering the Ancient Tomb, this was the first time the prized defensive treasure had hit such a perilous state. Even its innate Defense Value couldn’t withstand the onslaught. It demanded direct Qi infusion from its wielder to sustain it.

Of course, a major factor was the Taiyi Five Smoke Net being stretched to shield all eight people. If protecting only Long-Legged Lady herself, a Seventh-rank Magic Treasure wouldn’t have felt threatened so quickly.

The silver bell tied to Blood Colored Poppy’s wrist gave a violent shake. A pure, melodious chime rang out. First, a strand of violet-tinged light rippled in all directions. Then, a shower of milky-white light fell, settling onto each person.

System Notification: You are illuminated by teammate’s Taiqing Purple Solar Light. Qi and Blood/True Qi recovery speed increased by 300%. Attack Power increased by 20%. Duration: 15 minutes.

System Notification: You are bathed in teammate’s Taiqing Essence Milk. Maximum Qi and Blood/True Qi increased by 20%. Possess Taiqing Immortal Light Protection, reducing all damage taken by 5%. Duration: 15 minutes.

Warmth spread through Ye Rong’s body; his spirits soared. He suddenly recalled Blood Colored Poppy’s Musical Rhythm Type Magic Treasure, which held multiple Dao Spells. However, utilizing the silver bell fully required mastering Musical Rhythm Type Dao Spells and musical theory, which he hadn’t grasped back in the Starter Village.

It seemed now Blood Colored Poppy must have made significant progress on this front. He seemingly gained control of an additional spell from the bell, and, crucially, the buff durations were vastly extended. Its practical value skyrocketed, making it truly useful in critical battles.

“Are musical rhythm magic treasures truly that formidable? Even limited to those two spells, the silver bell is worth keeping indefinitely. No matter how high our Levels climb, it would remain a terrifying asset in team activities. The key questions are its area of effect and the maximum number of buff targets. If it could cover a hundred players… that would practically make it a Guild War artifact-level treasure!”

Ye Rong’s mind reeled. He’d never obtained a Musical Rhythm Type Magic Treasure and possessed only superficial knowledge of such rare items. He could only speculate wildly.

The tsunami waves crashed down, wave after wave. The Taiyi Five Smoke Net became like a tiny boat tossed violently on a raging ocean.

In this brief span, Long-Legged Lady started showing strain on her face. Obviously, her True Qi regeneration couldn’t keep pace with the massive drain from maintaining the Net. It made sense. Even an incomplete Taiyi Five Smoke Net was a Seventh-tier Magic Treasure. The Qi consumption required was absolutely monstrous. Against minor attacks normally, it stood independently without Qi input. But faced with truly fierce assaults, the Qi needed outstripped what a Player under Level 50 could readily supply.

“Can anyone manage Sword Flight in water? Come out with me, away from the Taiyi Five Smoke Net! Staying bunched together makes us one big target. Dream Butterfly expending her Qi shielding all eight of us won’t be sustainable!” Ye Rong shouted. He equipped the Water-repelling Pearl and prepared to leave the protective shimmer and charge out.

He reasoned clearly: leaving the coveted protective treasure might actually reduce their immediate danger. After all, the Blackwater Xuanshe’s attacks were obviously focused on the Net itself.

With everyone dispersed, attacks could be much more flexible and coordinated. Staying put made counter-attacking extremely difficult.